Checking the layout of a data structure.

kjkjava has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hello, I am importing an XML document using XML::Simple. If the user is validated, I get this (using Data::Dumper):

$VAR1 = 'true';
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Otherwise, I get this:

$VAR1 = {
  'request' => [
    '/account/verify_credentials.xml'
     ]
  'error' => [
    'Could not authenticate you.'
    ]
  }
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I am trying to check to see if the user was rejected by starting with if(defined $data->{error}). If the user was in fact verified, I get this run time error: Can't use string ("true") as a HASH ref while "strict refs" in use at.... Thanks for any advice.

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Re: Checking the layout of a data structure. by Fletch (Bishop) on Dec 05, 2008 at 20:12 UTC
So just check if you have a reference or not before trying to use it as such. The cake is a lie. The cake is a lie. The cake is a lie.	[reply]
Re^2: Checking the layout of a data structure. by kjkjava (Initiate) on Dec 05, 2008 at 21:38 UTC
Hmm, silly question I guess. I just changed `if(defined $data->{error})` to `if(ref $data)` et voilà! I suppose I was assuming "defined" would come into action before the dereferencing arrow. Many thanks.	[reply] [d/l] [select]